Root question about backups/bootstrap recovery

[metmike07]

I am fairly new to the rooting/roms/themes. In the past I started with the 928 black glass them then have moved on to Apex and just now Liberty. The quesion I had about Bootstrap Recovery....if you make a backup, which I have, then install a new ROM ( I went to Liberty). Should the ClockworkMod application still be there. Say something went horribly wrong during the process and I bricked my phone. How would I get to the backup if the application is not there anymore?

Also, I used TitaniumBackup before flashing this rom and it only seemed to save a few of my apps and no data such as contacts....

 

[metmike07]

UPDATE:

Tried the process over again. Used the backup to go back to my Apex build. Made another back up with Titanium. Wiped data/factory reset, the reinstalled Liberty 1.5. Titanium was still on the phone so I loaded it (updated Busybox, turned on USB debugging and unknown sources) then when I try to restore apps, data, or both it force closes...wtf

 

[Eris_2.1_2010]

After I create a backup they won't restore. Always says md5 mismatch. Doesn't mater if I'm 2.2 or 2.3.
Any ideas for a solution?